【正文】 ages. In Chinese, the situation when we can address the name directly is narrow. But it is used widely in English. And it is almost suitable for anyone in society, including the older, people of high rank, even someone you know not long ago. Especially, people in western countries prefer addressing first name to addressing full name. In their opinions, it can show that the speakers have an equal relationship.In Englishspeaking country, whether listener is male or female, young or old, relative or stranger, the speaker can call the listener’s given name directly so as to show their kindness and closeness, which is quite different from that in Chinese. So, please remember this kind of tiny diversity when you want to address others properly. Respectful appellation This is a kind of appellation using for showing speakers’ respect to listeners. Respectful appellation forms in ChineseThis part is according to Chi Hongjun’s theory of the usage of Lao and respectful appellation (2001: 56). Let us look at the following forms:(1) Lao + surname: Lao Li, Lao Zhang, Lao Zhao, etc.It is used to call those people whose age is above 40. Sometimes, to show the speaker’s respect, it can be used to address someone who has a special skill.(2) Xiao + surname: Xiao Liang, Xiao Chen, Xiao Zhong, etc.This kind of appellation is used most frequently among friends, workmates and classmates, who knowing each other well. And it can be used in both formal and informal situations.(3) Da + surname: Da Wang, Da Li, Da Yang, etc.It is often used to call older colleague during worktime just as using “Xiao + surname” in office.(4) surname + Lao: Zhao Lao, Lin Lao, Ye Lao, etc.Ususlly, people using this kind of appellation address someone who has a great fame in some special field.(5) Xiao / a + one of the words in a name: Xiao / a Ming (Zhang Dongming), Xiao/a shan (Liu Yushan), etc.Usually, parents in China use this kind to call their children to show the closeness.(6) surname + Gong: Xia Gong (Xia Ying), Mao Gong (Mao Dun), etc.It was used frequently in China before 1945 to show speaker’s respect to listeners. But it is rarely used now.Dong Yan’s opinion is that if we translate “Lao Zhang” into “old Zhang” or “Senior Zhang” mechanically, which will be taken as a big mistake (2006: 16). Other respectful appellation forms in Chinese Tongzhi and XianshengThis part is based on Song Xuan’s theory about the use of Tongzhi and Xiansheng, (1996: 11).We have got the following forms:(1) Used independently: Tongzhi, Xiansheng, etc.(2) a: Lao + Tongzhi / Xiansheng: Lao Tongzhi, Lao Xiansheng, etc.b: Name + Tongzhi / Xiansheng: Jianping Tongzhi, Jiangping Xiansheng, etc.(3) Surname + name + Tongzhi / Xiansheng: Zhang Jianping Tongzhi, Zhang Jianping Xiansheng, etc.(4) Lao + surname + Tongzhi: Lao Zhang Tongzhi, Lao Li Tongzhi, etc.Under most circumstances, we can address anyone with any status by “Tongzhi”, no matter men or women, young or old, and it is very convenient to use it. For example, a person whose name is “Zhang Dahai”, we can call him “Zhang Dahai Tongzhi”, “Dahai Tongzhi”, “Zhang Tongzhi” and even “Lao Zhang Tongzhi”, but not “Lao Zhang Xiansheng”, which is unacceptable in Chinese. It is unbelievable that Tongzhi / Xiansheng can have such a wide usage. Moreover, sometimes, even among family members, people can use “Tongzhi” instead of family appellation.In addition, in Chinese, Xiansheng sometimes refers to someone who works as a fortuneteller and it also has a meaning of husband. Respectful appellation forms in EnglishThe words we usually use are: Mr., Miss, Sir, and Mrs.. Generally, they have the following usages:(1) Used separately: Sir and Madam. They are the very few words in English that can be used independently. Generally speaking, they are often used in formal situations to show respect to others or between strangers. Sometimes, using “Sir” is to show the respect for the elder or the female who are in high social position (Dong Yan, 2006: 16). However, now, they bee a mon term to address almost any male or female client in restaurants, hairdressers and shops to show politeness (Dong Yinxiu, 2004: 21). (2) Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. / Miss + surname: Mr. Green, Miss White, Mr. James, and Mr. James. This kind of appellation is used the most widely in English. Generally speaking, Mr. + surname is used for addressing any adult male。 Mrs. + surname is used for the married female。 and Miss is used for the single female who is unmarried and it is never limited by age (Net. 1). But it is mainly used for the girls unmarried.(3) Mr. + military rank / official rank: Mr. President, Mr. Major, etc.But they are not usually used with post and rank, academic rank. For example, we can not say “Mr. profession” or “Mr. doctor”.(4) FatherIn other countries, Christians call priest “father”, which is a great respectful appellation to priest. However, in Chinese, the appellation “father” is only used to call the person who is husband of our mother. Let us have a look at the following case:A young man came to America for the first time, and he forgot how to get to Lincoln Museum. At that time, there was an old man ing towards him, then the young man went to him, “Excuse me, old man, can you tell me which is the best way to Lincoln Museum?” the young man thought that he asked politely and the old man would tell him friendly. To his surprise, the old man looked a little angry. We know that the young man’s intention was polite. According to Chinese culture, he should call the foreigner “l(fā)ao ren jia” to show his respect, but he translated Chinese appellation into English appellation directly, which was a big mistake，because people from different cultural backgrounds have different appellation system. As we know, American people do not want to be supposed that they are old and no longer young. Therefore, this munication was not successful just because the young